Turkey deports Israeli soccer player as another faces investigation

Tensions between Turkey and Israel is spreading to Turkish soccer fields as Israeli players commemorate the 100th day in captivity of the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip.

ANKARA — Turkish authorities decided Monday that Israeli soccer player Sagiv Jehezkel would be deported for his action commemorating Israeli hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip while another Israeli player, Eden Karzev, faces disciplinary action over a social media post.

Antalyaspor player Jehezkel was detained late Sunday on accusations of inciting public hatred after he took to the pitch with a wrist wrapping that read, “100 days 7.10.” His club announced that he was kicked off the team after the incident.

During his police questioning on Monday, Jehezkel reportedly rejected the accusation, saying he was simply expressing his hope that the war, which reached its 100th day on Monday, will come to an end. Shortly after the court released him on bail pending trial, Turkey’s public broadcaster TRT’s sports channel reported that the Israeli player would be deported. 

“I did not aim to incite or provoke anyone. I am not pro-war,” he was quoted as telling police by Turkey's private NTV television.